The article presents the data of official statistics and public opinion polls characterizing key trends and problems of social development in post-Soviet Russia. The circumstances that determine relevance of public administration in solving key problems of the Russian society today are considered: mentality, experiences of social development in the post- Soviet period, low level of development of civil society. It is emphasized that in view of a majority of Russians democracy is seen as solution of social justice issues guaranteed by a powerful state. Attention is focused on the fact that efficiency of public administration today depends on how “tight” is interaction between state and society. In this regard, it is proposed to increase the role of sociological knowledge at all stages of the legislative process.